Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Optical Shop

Shopping for new frames is like buying a car — you dread the whole experience since you really love your old pair, but you know it’s time to trade them in. Lisa/​Linda is a rep that you want to avoid. At first she seems knowledgeable, but then you get a weird ‘in– your-​face’ vibe about the products. I agree with TR’ review from 2012 concerning the ‘pushiness and snobby service’. My original plan was to purchase two new sets of glasses and replace the lens in an older pair. At first, Lisa/​Linda said she did not recommend replacing lens from a frame older then 4 years and then she changed her mind and said, «Well — really if it’s older then one year. Um, yeah so you should really select a frame from the wall.» What? Older then one year??? There are sooo many other frame stores around — especially in Boston — don’t waste your time or money.

The first thing to know is that this is a stand-​alone optical shop, not a full service optometry office, which means they sell glasses and can order contacts and that’s about it. Although it’s in the Harvard Vanguard medical clinic building, the optical shop is an independent operation. The optical shop does not, for example, have access to your prescription from a H-​V optometrist upstairs; they have to call to get it just like if your prescription came from any other eye doctor. The employees at the optical shop are basically fashion consultants; in my experience they know little about different lens options or needs. They don’t even have contact solution to use to put your contacts in when you pick them up.
The real problem, though, is the price. I was gouged, and didn’t even realize it.
I ordered a single replacement RGP (hard) contact lens after I lost one of mine, and the price was $ 95!!! I have never paid more than $ 60 before, but I thought it’s Boston, it’s been a while since I last ordered (they last for years if you don’t lose them), maybe that’s just what it costs.
Fast forward a few months, and I lose a lens again. This time I was smart — I called around to get prices. VisionWorks down the street quoted me $ 54 for the exact same contact lens — same brand, same prescription, same size — and then when I went in they asked what health insurance I have, and knocked an additional 20% off the price because I have Harvard Pilgrim insurance. It turns out Harvard Vanguard Optical Shop also should have given me the 20% off, but they didn’t ask and I didn’t know. Neither transaction was covered by vision insurance, so Harvard Vanguard Optical is literally charging almost double what their competition does for identical items, and not informing patients of available discounts.
Two stars for a decent glasses selection and staff who will give you good advice on finding an attractive frame. Three star demerit for ripping me off.

I can’t speak for the glasses at their optical shop but their contact pricing is pretty steep. In addition, I went to see one of their doctors who charged me $ 300 for a glasses and contact exam. He changed my prescription so it was lower than what I had been wearing for the past five years. Obviously it was worse so I had to go back which they then charged me another $ 150 for a refitting (and that was at a discount I was told!)!
In total I paid $ 450 for an eye exam. Go anywhere else!

I have been into the shop a few times to browse. It had been highly recommended by some others and the Unilocal reviews were fantastic. I dont doubt their knowledge and the selection seemed great. I just did not appreciate the pushiness and snobby service. I felt judged for not wanting to drop $ 400 for glasses at that very moment. I have been wearing contacts and glasses for almost 20 years and have been to all sorts of retailers and I have never felt more uncomfortable. I wish they were just a little more easy going and listened to me as a customer instead of telling me what I needed. Even if they are experts, its nice to listen to the potential client.

Despite the fact that their prices are probably a bit higher than all those chains, this is the only place I will buy my eyeglasses. Linda has been here for years, and she is super-​helpful, and can pick out the perfect frames for you just by looking at you for a minute! I always love what she picks out for me.

This is an entry for the glasses store attached to the Harvard Vanguard Medical Facility.
I went here to buy glasses and had a nice experience. The woman who helped me was super-​friendly without being salesman-​pushy. I got a big discount on frames since I have Harvard Pilgrim healthcare insurance. Decent selection of frames, nice prices, and the new technology for glasses just keeps getting better and better.
I had a really nice experience here, and you will too.